Sorosis Club rules in 1869 Sorosis was the first professional women's club in the United States. It was established in March 1868 in New York City.

History

The club was organized in New York City with 12 members in March 1868, by Jane Cunningham Croly.''The Encyclopedia Americana: A Library of Universal Knowledge'', vol. 2, 1920, p. 466. Among its founding members were

Josephine Pollard Josephine Pollard (J. P. Pollard) (17 October 1834 – 15 August 1892) was an American hymn writer, author and poet. Pollard published over a hundred hymns, and wrote numerous popular children's books mostly on religious and historical topi ...

, a children's author, and Fanny Fern, a popular columnist who had been angered at newspaper women being excluded from the all-male New York Press Club when it had an honorary dinner for the author Charles Dickens the month before. Sorosis was incorporated in January 1869. Alice Cary was the first president. Within one year, Sorosis had 83 members. Along with Boston's New England Woman's Club (also founded in 1868), Sorosis inspired the formation of women's clubs across the country. Sorosis is a latinate word meaning 'aggregation' (from the Greek ''sōros'', meaning ‘heap’). Its object was to further the educational and social activities of women by bringing representative women of accomplishment in art, literature, science, and kindred pursuits. Early members of Sorosis were participants in varied professions and political reform movements such as abolitionism, suffrage, prison reform, temperance and peace. Sorosis expanded into local chapters beyond New York City in the early twentieth century and the various chapters went on to organize war relief efforts during both World Wars. Peacetime activities included philanthropy (such as support for funding the MacDowell Colony), scholarship funds, and social reforms (such as literary training for immigrant women). In later years, Sorosis focused its activities on local projects, raising money for the aid of other women's clubs, funding scholarships for women, and aiding local rescue missions. Sorosis was among the 63 clubs that formed the General Federation of Women's Clubs in 1890. The University of Texas at San Antonio houses a collection of records for the San Antonio chapter of Sorosis. The collection spans the years 1923 through 1991 and provides information about the club's members and activities primarily through minutes, photographs, scrapbooks and yearbooks.

Notable members

* Elizabeth Akers Allen, poet and journalist *

Celia M. Burleigh Celia M. Burleigh (September 18, 1826 – July 25, 1875) (also Celia Burleigh, Celia C. Burleigh, Celia M. Tibbitts, Celia M. Kellum, Celia M. Burr, and Celia C. Burr Burleigh) was an American minister, writer, public speaker, and women's rights ...

, activist for women's rights. * Alice Cary, first president of Sorosis *

R. Belle Colver Rhoda Belle Colver (October 3, 1882 - January 24, 1977) was the Club Editor of ''The Spokesman-Review'' in Spokane. Early life Rhoda Belle Colver was born in Missouri Valley, Iowa, on October 3, 1882, the daughter of James E. (1859-1915) and Em ...

, Spokane * Jane Cunningham Croly, first vice-president of Sorosis * Emily Faithfull, honorary foreign member * Fanny Fern, columnist *

Kate Field Mary Katherine Keemle "Kate" Field (pen name, Straws, Jr.; October 1, 1838 – May 19, 1896) was an American journalist, correspondent, editor, lecturer, and actress, of eccentric talent. She never married. She seemed ready to give an opinion ...

, first corresponding secretary of Sorosis *

Fannie Smith Goble Fannie Smith Goble (October 13, 1861 - June 17, 1940) was a member of the Spokane Board of Education and one of the owners of The Excelsior Rock Springs Coal company, Wyoming. Early life Fannie Smith was born in Chesaning, Michigan, on October 13, ...

, president and treasurer of Spokane Sorosis Club * Phebe Ann Coffin Hanaford, minister and suffragist *

Sophia Curtiss Hoffman Sophia Curtiss Hoffman (, Curtiss; also known as, Mrs. George Hoffman; 1825 – September 12, 1905) was an American philanthropist, known as the Helen Gould of the early 1870s. She was the founder of the benevolent institution known as the Chapi ...

, philanthropist *

Jennie de la Montagnie Lozier Jennie de la Montagnie Lozier (1841 – August 6, 1915) was an American physician. At the age of nineteen, she began to teach, becoming an instructor in languages and literature in Hillsdale College. Returning to New York City in 1872, she married ...

, physician, president *

Virgie McFarland Virgie Belle Smith McFarland (1877 – January 24, 1971) was instrumental in establishing the first Aberdeen Women's Exchange in 1918. Early life Virgie Belle Smith McFarland was born in 1877 in Keosauqua, Iowa, the daughter of William Dixon Smit ...

, member * Rebecca A. Morse *

Jessie Fremont O'Donnell Jessie Fremont O'Donnell (pen name, J. F. O'Donnell; January 18, 1860 – April 30, 1897) was a 19th-century American writer of poems, novels and magazine articles, as well as a lecturer. In December, 1887, her first book, ''Heart Lyrics'' appea ...

(1860–1897), writer *

, children's author * Emily Warren Roebling, assistant to and wife of Washington A. Roebling, Brooklyn Bridge Chief Engineer *

Kate Funk Simpson Kate Funk Simpson (1866-1959) was an American educator. Early life Kate M. Funk was born in 1866 in Edina, Missouri, daughter of Thomas W. and Rachel M. Funk of Kirksville, Missouri Funk was a graduate of the State Normal School at Kirksville, M ...

Isabel Elizabeth Smith Isabel Elizabeth Smith (1843-1938) was an American artist, mostly known for miniature painting and teaching. Early life Isabel Elizabeth Smith was born in Clermont County, Ohio, in 1843. She was of Scotch descent. Her father, Alexander Smith, was ...

, chairman of the art committee *

May Riley Smith May Riley Smith (May 27, 1842 – January 14, 1927) was an American poet and clubwoman. Biography May (or Mary) Louise Riley was born on May 27, 1842 in Rochester, New York. She attended Brockport Collegiate Institute. She married Albert Smith, ...

, poet, president of the club 1911-1915, honorary president 1919-1927 *

M. Louise Thomas M. Louise Thomas (, Russell; 1861-1947) was the founder of Lenox Hall, a girls' school in St. Louis. Early life and education Minnie Louise Russell was born in 1861, the daughter of Judge Thomas Allen Russell (1834-1921), who was for some years ...

(1822-1907), fourth president * Phoebe Jane Babcock Wait, physician

References

External links

University of Texas collection of records
for the San Antonio chapter of Sorosis (1923–1991)
Sorosis records
at the Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College Special Collections
Article about Sorosis
at About.com {{Authority control Sorosis Sorosis History of women in New York City Women's clubs in the United States Sorosis

History

Notable members

See also

References

Further reading

External links